A day spent spreading cycling love to Big Bear students. Special thanks to Dan, Kyle, Joy, and Phil!

Cyclists at the Middle School

Delivering a message of cycling, health, safety, and determination in anticipation of the Tour of California’s Stage 6 finish in Big Bear Lake. (Big Bear Middle School.)

Team Possibilities

Warming up the crowd at Big Bear Elementary. Most of the kids had bikes, and most knew who Lance Armstrong was. Most popular question: “What do you do if your bike breaks?”

Kyle at the Elementary School

Hand cyclist Kyle Massey at Baldwin Lane Elementary, showing his tattoo with the date he fell 5 stories from a balcony.

Big Bear Lake Middle School Students

Big Bear Middle School students posing for Team PossAbilities from Redlands.

Cyclists at North Shore Elementary School

Kyle, Dan, and Joy sharing cycling insights at North Shore Elementary. Snow still remains on Snow Summit ski runs in the background due to the severe Winter.

Students at North Shore Elementary School

Big Bear Elementary students listening politely, until the free water bottles came out at the end. Dan was mobbed and almost pushed off the stage.

Additional Resources

• The Adobe Tour Tracker – real time bicycle race info | FlexDaddy – The AMGEN Tour of California … how cool is this, The Adobe Tour Tracker 2.0! The 8 day, 700 mile race has a multitude of information viewable in real-time.
• Amgen Tour of California – Who’s Favored To Win | Busy Buzz Blogging – Amgen Tour of California – Who’s Favored To Win – The Amgen Tour of California kicks off today and you can watch it on Versus (*Update: It appears that they.
• Amgen Tour of California – California news | USA News – U.S. national champion George Hincapie and Norwegian sprinter Alexander Kristoff will hunt for stage wins while the BMC Racing Team will look to Hincapie and Swiss Steve Morabito for the overall at the Amgen Tour of California. …

Partial View of Big Bear Lake

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. May 3, 2010 – Big Bear Lake offers unique vantage points for spectators to watch the Amgen Tour of California’s Stage 6 finish from a boat on the lake. The seven-mile long lake provides a variety of viewing options to watch the world’s best cyclists race toward the finish line from Big Bear Dam to Stanfield Cutoff. Race fans can either launch a boat at one of Big Bear’s public launch ramps, or boat rentals are amply served by five marinas that offer a fleet of pontoon boats, fishing boats and kayaks.

Some of the best viewing spots from a boat are 1/4 mile from Big Bear Dam on the north shore. Here boaters can watch the peloton enter Big Bear Lake with the option to follow the cyclists for two and a half miles along the north shore. Some other key viewing spots for boaters are just east of the City of Fawnskin, about 4.3 miles from the dam. Boaters who choose to get closer to the finish line can view the race on the north shore approximately one mile west of Stanfield Cutoff. The area offers a wide open clearing overlooking Alpine Pedal Path. Another hot spot for boaters is on the east end of the lake at Stanfield Cutoff, the roadway that connects the north shore with the south shore.

“With a boat you can watch cyclists enter at Big Bear Dam, or catch the final sprint to the finish line at Stanfield Cutoff,” said Holloways Marina Owner Loren Hafen. “A boat gives you some unique opportunities to see the action of the race, compared to those watching from the side of the road.”

For spectators who opt to watch the race from the roadside have some great spots to choose from, too. Summit Blvd is the final stretch to the finish line at Snow Summit Mountain Resort, which is expected to be the most sought after viewing location. It is highly recommended spectators arrive before 10 a.m. to stake out a spot near the finish line area along Summit Blvd. The closest parking lot to the finish line is at Garstin Drive and Fox Farm Road, and is based on a first-come, first serve basis. The cost is $10 per vehicle. Other nearby parking options that offer free parking is at Moonridge Avenue and in Big Bear Village.

For spectators who want to be at or near the finish line, but don’t want to hassle with crowds may elect to rent a condominium on Summit Blvd. or near Snow Summit Mountain Resort. Condos provide private balconies and decks that overlook the crowd with clear views of the finish line. These private rentals are great for hosting race-day gatherings and after parties with friends. For a list of available rentals at or near the finish line log onto www.bigbear.com/bigbearclimb or call 1-800-424-4232 to make reservations.

Stanfield Cutoff is a point where cyclists are expected to punch it into high gear and give it their all. There are places to park vehicles along the roadside and view the race. Also, The Duane Boyer West Public Boat Launch Ramp, which is 1/4 mile from Stanfield Cutoff, has a large public parking area available. The next portion of the final stretch, from Big Bear Blvd. to Sandalwood Drive, has wide open spaces with sidewalks and lots of parking options, including the Stater Brothers and Interlocken Shopping Center parking lots.

Hwy. 38 on the north shore has a wide array of places to watch the race, too. Some areas near the dam that provide parking include North Shore Landing and The Carol Morrison East Public Boat Launch Ramp. The City of Fawnskin has ample parking and plenty of room to view the race, including some restaurants and bars that are directly on the course. There are also some lodging options in this area including North Shore Cabins, The Inn at Fawnskin, Windy Point Inn and private home rentals from Big Bear Vacations. Side roads on Hwy. 38 that have places to park and offer great viewing areas include North Shore Lane, Polique Canyon Road and Holcomb Valley Road. Spectators may park on these roads as long as all four tires are off the roadway. Also, there are U.S. Forest Service parking areas along Hwy. 38 including Grout Bay Park, Cougar Crest Trailhead, Juniper Point and The Woodland Trail. U.S. Forest Service parking areas do require vehicles to display a National Forest Adventure Pass, which can be purchased at Big Bear Discovery Center for $5.

For race day information, traffic advisories and lodging availability for the Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 finish in Big Bear Lake visit www.thebigbearclimb.com or call 800-424-4232.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Prologue Post-Race Awards Ceremony Comments
“The Amgen Tour of California is the biggest race in the United States. California is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we have some of the most extraordinary athletes in the world; this is a great event. What is so great about this race is that it moves around every year, so people from all over the world can see the beauty of California; it’s what makes this race spectacular.”

Amgen Tour of California

Partnership Between SRAM, Speedplay,
Specialized and Zipp Creates Official Support Team

LOS ANGELES (April 26, 2010) – The SRAM Neutral Race Support (NRS) team will be the official neutral support partner of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California AEG, presenter of the professional cycling road race set for May 16-23, announced today. The team, which will combine their expertise to provide world-class neutral race support for all the cyclists participating in the race, was created out of a partnership that includes Speedplay, Specialized, Zipp and SRAM.

SRAM will bring three fully equipped neutral support vehicles, two support motos and one non-caravan support truck to the race, which is considered to be the most important cycling event in the United States. Seen in more than 100 premier international events, SRAM’s signature red vehicles have become synonymous with first-rate support for world-class races.

“This partnership serves a great tradition in bike racing, neutral race support for every rider, and in bringing together four powerful cycling brands – Speedplay, Specialized, Zipp and SRAM – every rider can be confident in the service and support they’ll receive,” said Michael Zellmann, SRAM road PR manager. “From the SRAM perspective it’s an honor to be a part of this race that has established such a great tradition in such a short time, the Amgen Tour of California is on par with any stage race in the world.”

Responsible for wheel changes and mechanical assistance, the neutral support team’s experienced race mechanics will step in to aid any cyclist that has a mechanical issue, in the event the team car can’t reach them in time. Additionally, the neutral race support bike will be a Specialized bike, featuring Speedplay pedals.

“The combination of resources and expertise from Speedplay, Specialized, Zipp and SRAM will create a ‘dream team’ of neutral race support for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports. “The range of product, innovation and commitment to cycling shown by these companies demonstrates the continued enthusiasm towards, and growth of, professional cycling in the United States. This support team will be a great addition to the race.”

In addition to providing neutral support for the race, SRAM and the Amgen Tour of Californiawill be creating the Bike Manufacturers Challenge Powered by SRAM, a virtual competition between component, frame, wheel and pedal manufacturers based on rider and team performance at the Amgen Tour of California. The Bike Manufacturers Challenge Powered by SRAM will be featured on the official race website (www.amgentourofcalifornia.com), as well as during the official broadcast of the race on VERSUS.

Considered to be cycling’s most important and successful stage race in the United States, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California will travel along a more than 800-mile course from Nevada City to Thousand Oaks, title-sponsor Amgen’s hometown community. During the race, elite international and domestic cycling teams will traverse the state from north to south with scheduled stops in the following host cities: Nevada City (new city for 2010), Sacramento, Davis, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto, Visalia, Bakersfield (new city for 2010), Palmdale (new city for 2010), Big Bear Lake (new city for 2010), Los Angeles (new city for 2010) and Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village (new city for 2010)/Agoura Hills (new city for 2010).

Amgen Tour of California

Local volunteers are hard at work organizing the thousands of logistical details necessary for an event of this magnitude. Parking, food, security and volunteers are some of the details that are being locked down months ahead of time.

Participating agencies include the Big Bear Lake Resort Association, the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, the City of Big Bear Lake, the Big Bear Events Office, Snow Summit  and the County.

Hundred of local volunteers will also be required. Our local Big Bear community will supply course marshals, media assistants, security, site decoration, expo assistants and volunteer check-in. Click here for further details; http://www.thebigbearclimb.com/volunteer/

Here’s a short 30 second video of volunteers meeting with Amgen officials.